# Mr. Peggotty — David Copperfield character guide

> Mr. Peggotty in David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Dan'l Peggotty, Dan'l, Daniel, Dan, Uncle Dan

**First appearance:** 0009-vi-i-enlarge-my-circle-of-acquaintance

## Snapshot

A Yarmouth fisherman who turns a beached boat into a home and fills it with orphans, embodying a stubborn, unshowy, almost religious love.

## Who they are

Dan'l Peggotty is the boat-house patriarch, a rough, kind man who adopts his nephew Ham and niece Em'ly and shelters the wandering Mrs. Gummidge without a word of complaint. When Em'ly vanishes, his faith that he will find her becomes the novel's most moving act of patience — he walks, sails, and saves for years, never doubting. His steadfastness gives the story its moral center and its most affecting portrait of fatherhood.

## In the story

### [I Have a Change](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/iii-i-have-a-change)

Peggotty's brother; a kind, hospitable fisherman who lives in a boathouse and cares for his orphaned niece and nephew.

### [My "First Half" at Salem House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/vii-my-first-half-at-salem-house)

David's kind friend who visits Salem House with Ham, bringing gifts and meeting Steerforth.

### [Little Em'ly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxi-little-em-ly)

Proudly speaks of his love for Em'ly and recounts Ham's honorable but unrequited love for her.

### [Some Old Scenes, and Some New People](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxii-some-old-scenes-and-some-new-people)

Goes boating with Steerforth; his house is a gathering place.

### [A Loss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxx-a-loss)

Opens the door for David, comforts Em'ly with pride and tenderness, and goes upstairs to inform Peggotty of David's arrival.

### [A Greater Loss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxxi-a-greater-loss)

Mr. Peggotty is devastated by Em'ly's flight, reading her farewell letter with profound grief.

### [The Beginning of a Long Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxxii-the-beginning-of-a-long-journey)

Resolves to leave the old boat but keeps it as a symbol of hope for Em'ly's return; prepares for a long journey.

### [The Wanderer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xl-the-wanderer)

Describes his long journey through France and Italy seeking Little Em'ly, showing his steadfast love and forgiveness.

### [XLVI: Intelligence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xlvi-intelligence)

Devoted uncle of Little Em'ly, who receives the news of her separation from Steerforth with quiet dignity and unwavering hope.

### [Martha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xlvii-martha)

Accompanies David, shows profound compassion and horror, and asks Martha to help find his niece Little Em'ly.

### [Mr. Peggotty's Dream Comes True](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/l-mr-peggotty-s-dream-comes-true)

Remains unwavering in his search for Emily, undertaking long journeys and saving money for her.

### [LI: The Beginning of a Longer Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/li-the-beginning-of-a-longer-journey)

Mr. Peggotty recounts the rescue of Little Em'ly and announces his plan to emigrate to Australia with her.

### [Mr. Micawber's Transactions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/liv-mr-micawber-s-transactions)

Mentioned as a trusted confidant for advancing money and being entrusted with part of his own story.

### [Tempest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/lv-tempest)

Brother of Clara Peggotty; gives David Em'ly's letter and tries to dissuade him from traveling.

### [LXIII: A Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/lxiii-a-visitor)

An old, hearty, and robust man who has traveled from Australia to see David and Agnes. He shares news of his thriving life and of Little Em'ly.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/mr_peggotty
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters